Alexis Sanchez’s goal against Chelsea in the FA Cup final on
Saturday , was allowed to stand, because his team-mate Aaron Ramsey was deemed
not to have interfered with play.
The Chile attacker scored in the 5th minute, latching onto a
deflection and charging into the area, before slotting the ball past Thibaut
Courtois.
However, Aaron Ramsey was in an offside position when the
loose ball bounced close by him in the area and the linesman raised his flag.
There was confusion briefly, before referee Anthony Taylor
went over to speak with his assistant, Garry Beswick.
Taylor then blew his whistle and pointed to the centre
circle, signalling that the goal would stand.
According to FIFA, simply running towards the ball doesn’t
amount to being involved in ‘active play’. The laws state that a player is not
committing an offence by simply being in an offside position – or even in the
same area of active play for that matter.
Ramsey didn’t interfere with an opponent, he didn’t touch
the ball, and he didn’t ensure his side gained an unfair advantage from his
on-pitch positioning.
By Ifreke Inyang
